MRA celebrates International Customs Day, pushes to bolster business

The Malawi Revenue Authority and World Customs Organisation (WCO) today, 26 January 2021, join the rest of the globe in commemorating the International Customs Day.

This year, the day is being celebrated under the theme ‘Customs Bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a Sustainable Supply Chain’.

According to WCO, the focus in 2021 is on the united efforts of Customs to emerge from the coronavirus crisis and support people and businesses by strengthening the global supply chain, reinforcing collaboration, harnessing technology and putting people at the centre of the transformation.

MRA Commissioner General, Mr John Biziwick says in line with the theme, MRA is implementing several initiatives to enhance speedy and safe delivery of tax services amidst the corona virus pandemic.

 “The Authority is implementing a duty free clearance of essential goods for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The duty waiver is one of the crucial measures in the fight against the further spread of COVID-19 and it applies to both direct imports and goods from bonded warehouses.

“On the other hand, importers and exporters can process Customs transactions online and real time through the use of the Customs Management system called ASYCUDA World. The system also interfaces with Government agencies such as the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Malawi Police Service and INTERPOL including commercial banks,” he said.

The Commissioner General adds that taxpayers are making tax payments online and real-time through the E-payment system. The system has eased payment of taxes and led to growth of trust between taxpayers, Clearing Agents and the Authority.